The Image staff muses on the culture of keeping up appearances

Out and about during Oscar week: Women in Film pre-Oscar cocktail party

March 5, 2010 | 3:30
pm

Thursday night, Oscar-nominated women and a ton of entertainment industry types shuttled up a Bel-Air driveway to the home of uber-producer Peter Guber for the Women in Film pre-Oscar cocktail party. Gabourey Sidibe, Camilla Belle and Mena Suvari (whose hair was like a backwards pompadour a la Pepe Le Pew) mingled with guests among Guber’s massive collection of film memorabilia and awards.President of MAC Cosmetics and Estee Lauder John Dempsey was on hand to announce a $20,000 grant to Women in Film to compensate for a loss of government funding for the organization. The cosmetics company also sponsored the party for the first year and Dempsey beamed with pride over the fact that they provided makeup for six Oscar-nominated films including "Precious," "Avatar," "The Blind Side" and "Inglorious Basterds." “I’ve personally always had an interest in film,” said Dempsey. “And MAC did begin as a professional makeup line. It fits organically into film.” The actresses in attendance came in proper cocktail attire, obviously saving the red carpet regalia for Sunday night. Sidibe wore a black and white striped sequin dress complemented by an ever-present smile, Melora Hardin wore a chartreuse silk Hugo Boss wrap dress and the usually tomboy-ish Michelle Rodriguez threw on stilettos with her all-black ensemble-which if she chose to hoof it back down the steep driveway to the overcrowded valet, posed a precarious walk downhill.-- Melissa Magsaysay